Information transfer apparatus and method , information processing apparatus and method, and information processing system

ABSTRACT

When a transport stream is transmitted between each unit connected through an interface, if any data which is not permitted to be transmitted on a partial transport stream is transmitted, information of this section is transmitted as a private section or a user private. As a result, information of a section of an EIT can be transmitted from for example a digital satellite broadcast tuner to a personal computer and an original program schedule list can be created on the personal computer.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an information transmittingapparatus, a method thereof, an information processing apparatus, amethod thereof, and an information processing system suitably used for asatellite broadcast tuner for receiving a signal based on the MPEG(Moving Picture Coding Experts Group) 2-TS (Transport Stream) for adigital BS (Broadcast Satellite) broadcast, a digital CS (CommunicationSatellite) broadcast, or the like. In particular, the present inventionrelates to those for removing unnecessary TS packets from a demodulatedtransport stream and transferring the resultant stream as a partialtransport stream through an interface.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] In Japan, digital satellite broadcasts have been performedcorresponding to the standards of the ARIB (Association of RadioIndustrial and Businesses). The standards of the ARIB are based on theDVB (Digital Video Broadcasting) standards used in Europe. The DVBstandards uses the MPEG (Moving Picture Coding Experts Group) 2-TS(Transport Stream) system for broadcasting video and audio.

[0003] The MPEG2 system prescribes a system for multiplexing individualstreams of encoded video, audio, and additional data and synchronouslyreproducing them. The MPEG2 system is categorized as two systems whichare MPEG2-PS (Program Stream) and MPEG2-TS.

[0004] It has been supposed that the MPEG2-PS is used for transmittingand storing data in an error free environment. As a result, the MPEG2-PSallows the redundancy of data to be decreased. Thus, the MPEG2-PS hasbeen used for digital stream media such as DVDs (Digital VersatileDiscs), which use strong error correction codes.

[0005] In contrast, it has been supposed that the MPEG2-TS is used fortransmitting and storing data in broadcasts and communication networkswhich are subject to errors. In the MPEG2-TS, since a plurality ofprograms can be contained in one stream, the MPEG2-TS has been used fordigital satellite broadcasts and so forth.

[0006] In the MPEG2-TS, one transport stream is composed of a pluralityof TS packets each of which has a fixed length of 188 bytes. The lengthof each TS packet of 188 bytes is decided in consideration of theintegrity with the length of each ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) cell.

[0007] One TS packet is composed of a packet header having a fixedlength of four bytes, an adaptation field having a variable length, anda payload. In the packet header, a PID (Packet Identifier) and variousflags are defined. The PID identifies the type of the TS packet.

[0008] A PES (Packetized Elementary Stream) packet containing discretestreams of video and audio is divided into a plurality of TS packetshaving the same PID number and the divided MS packets are transmitted.Video is encoded corresponding to for example the MPEG2 system. Audio offor example BS (Broadcast Satellite) digital is encoded corresponding tothe MPEG2-AAC (MPEG2 Advanced Audio Coding) system.

[0009] As with packets for video and audio, a PES packet containing asubtitle or the like is divided into a plurality of TS packets and thedivided TS packets are transmitted.

[0010] In addition, a transport stream contains packets of informationdescribed in tables of sections of PSI (Program Specific Information)and SI (Service Information). The PSI is information necessary for asystem to select and receive a desired broadcast channel. The PSIcontains a PAT (Program Association Table), a PMT (Program Map Table),an NIT (Network Information Table), a CAT (Condition Access Table), andso forth. The PAT describes an PID of the PMT corresponding to theprogram table and so forth. The PMT describes PIDs of video, audio,additional data, and a PCR contained in the corresponding program. TheNIT describes the carrier frequency at which the objective program isbeing transmitted. The CAT describes the identification of therestricted receiving system and information with respect to discreteinformation such as contract information. The SI is a section used forservices of the broadcast provider.

[0011] As satellite broadcasts based on the standards of the ARIB,digital CS (Communication Satellite) broadcasts and digital BS(Broadcast Satellite) broadcasts have been already started. In thedigital BS broadcasts, besides conventional SDTV (Standard DefinitionTelevision) broadcasts, HDTV (High Definition Television) broadcastshave been performed. Digital satellite broadcast tuners which receivesuch digital satellite broadcasts have been developed.

[0012] Such a digital satellite broadcast tuner is provided with an IEEE(Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 1394 interface withwhich an AV (Audio Visual) system can be structured by combining adigital VCR (Video Cassette Recorder) and a personal computer. The IEEE1394 provides an isochronous transfer and an asynchronous transfer.Using the isochronous transfer, video and audio data can be transferredat high speed. Using the asynchronous transfer, basic commands for modecontrol, program tuning, and so forth can be transferred.

[0013] When a transport stream received by such a digital satellitebroadcast tuner is transferred to a digital VCR through for example anIEEE 1394 interface and recorded by the digital VCR, if all the receivedtransport stream is transferred to the digital VCR and recorded thereby,TS packets which do not directly relate to the program are alsorecorded. As a result, the record capacity is unnecessarily wasted. Inaddition, a problem of the integrity of information takes place.

[0014] For example, as was described above, a transport stream containsa TS packet of the PSI and IS. In the PSI, the section of the NITdescribes the frequency of the stream of the desired program in aplurality of streams of a plurality of carrier frequencies. In otherwords, the section of the NIT describes information about the overallnetwork. Thus, although the information of the NIT is information of aplurality of streams of the overall network, information of one streamtransmitted with one carrier is recorded by the VCR. Thus, when a TSpacket of the section of the NIT is recorded by the VCR, the integrityof information cannot be kept.

[0015] The section of the EIT (Event Information Table) of the SIdescribes a program broadcast schedule. The information of the sectionof the EIT is used for an EPG (Electronic Program Guide) and timerrecording. When a packet of the section of the EIT is directly recordedby the VCR, the integrity of the broadcast time of the EIT and the realtime cannot be kept.

[0016] In such a manner, when a TS packet of information of the sectionsuch as the NIT describing the overall network and a TS packet ofinformation of the section such as the EIT containing future timeinformation are recorded, there is a possibility of which the integrityof information is not kept.

[0017] Thus, when a conventional digital satellite broadcast tuneroutputs a stream through for example an IEEE 1394 interface, a partialtransport stream is output.

[0018] From a partial transport stream, TS packets of the sections ofsuch as the NIT and the EIT, which causes a problem about the integrityof information to arise, are removed. As a TS packet of the PSI, onlyinformation of the sections of the PAT and the PMT are output. As a TSpacket of the SI, only information of the section of the SIT (SelectionInformation Table) composed of information of only a partial transportstream is output. In addition, when information is broken (for example,a channel is changed or the power is turned off), a packet of thesection of the DIT (Discontinuity Information Table) is transmitted sothat a problem about the integrity of information does not arise.

[0019] Details about a partial transport stream are described in “DVBETS 300 468 Specification for Service Information (SI) in DVB systems,”ARIB-STD B1/B2 and ARIB TR-B15.

[0020] However, if a partial transport stream is output from the IEEE1394 interface, information which is not permitted to be transmitted ona partial transport stream cannot be used.

[0021] For example, with the IEEE 1394 interface, a digital satellitebroadcast tuner can be connected to not only a digital VCR, but varioustypes of units such as a personal computer and a home server. Forexample, when a digital satellite broadcast tuner and a personalcomputer are connected with the IEEE 1394 interface, the receivedtransport stream can be recorded to the HDD (Hard Disk Drive) of thepersonal computer and the pictures can be processed and edited.

[0022] In addition, if not only information of video and audio, butinformation of the sections of the PSI (Program SpecificationInformation) and the SI (Service Information) can be transmitted fromthe digital satellite broadcast tuner to the personal computer, theinformation of the sections can be processed and used.

[0023] For example, the EIT (Event Information Table) describesinformation of a broadcast program schedule. The information of thebroadcast program schedule is used for the EPG (Electronic ProgramGuide) and the timer recoding. If the information of the EIT can betransferred to the personal computer and used, a program schedule listcan be created on the personal computer.

[0024] When a program schedule list has been created on the personalcomputer, information about programs, actors, and actresses can beeasily searched on the Internet. In addition, on the personal computer,a user's original EPG screen which is different from an EPG screendisplayed on the television can be created.

[0025] When information of the section of the EIT is transferred to thepersonal computer, the information can be used thereon and an originalEPG can be created thereon.

[0026] However, as was described above, a stream which is output from aconventional digital satellite broadcast tuner through the IEEE 1394interface is a partial transport stream. Information of the section ofthe EIT is not permitted to be transmitted on the partial transportstream.

[0027] Likewise, a transport stream which is broadcast contains asection of an SDT (Service Description Table) which describesinformation about a channel organization such as channel numbers,channel names, and a broadcast provider name. It can be supposed thatthe SDT is transmitted to a personal computer and the informationthereof is used on the personal computer. However, the section of theSDT is not permitted to be transmitted on the partial transport stream.

[0028] Thus, an object of the present invention is to provide aninformation transmitting apparatus, a method thereof, an informationprocessing apparatus, a method thereof, and an information processingsystem that allow information of a section which is not permitted to betransferred on a partial transport stream to be transferred to anotherunit when unnecessary TS packets are removed from a demodulatedtransport stream, information of a necessary section is insertedthereinto, and the resultant stream is output as a partial transportstream from an interface.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0029] The present invention is an information transmitting apparatus,comprising: a packet extracting means for extracting a packet which ispermitted to be transmitted on a partial transport stream from atransport stream; an interface for transmitting the partial transportstream which is output through the packet extracting means to anotherunit; and a means for outputting a packet which is not permitted to betransmitted on the partial transport stream as a packet of a privatesection or a packet of a user private when the packet is output throughthe interface.

[0030] The present invention is an information transmitting method,comprising the steps of: extracting a packet which is permitted to betransmitted on a partial transport stream from a transport stream andoutputting the extracted packet to an interface; and forming a packetwhich is not permitted to be transmitted on the partial transport streamas a packet of a private section or a packet of a user private when thepacket is output through the interface.

[0031] The present invention is an information processing apparatus,comprising: an interface for receiving a partial transport streamtransmitted from another unit; a packet separating means for separatingpackets from the partial transport stream transmitted through theinterface; and a analyzing means for analyzing the content of a PMT ofthe partial transport stream transmitted through the interface,information of each element of a transport stream being described in thePMT, and interpreting a packet of a private section as a packet which isnot permitted to be transmitted on the partial transport stream when theanalyzed result represents that the partial transport stream containsthe private section.

[0032] The present invention is an information processing method,comprising the steps of: receiving a partial transport streamtransmitted from another unit through an interface; separating packetsfrom the partial transport stream transmitted through the interface; andanalyzing the content of a PMT of the partial transport streamtransmitted through the interface, information of each element of atransport stream being described in the PMT, and interpreting a packetof a private section as a packet which is not permitted to betransmitted on the partial transport stream when the analyzed resultrepresents that the partial transport stream contains the privatesection or a user private.

[0033] The present invention is an information processing system,comprising: an information transmitting apparatus for extracting apacket which is permitted to be transmitted on a partial transportstream from a transport stream and outputting the extracted packetthrough an interface; and an information processing apparatus forreceiving a partial transport stream transmitted through the interface,separating packets from the partial transport stream, and processing thepackets, wherein when a packet which is not permitted to be transmittedon the partial transport stream is transmitted from the informationtransmitting apparatus to the information processing apparatus throughthe interface, the information transmitting apparatus is configured totransmit a packet which is not permitted to be transmitted on thepartial transport stream as a packet of a private section or a packet ofa user private.

[0034] When a transport stream is transmitted between each unitconnected through an interface, unnecessary TS packets are removed fromthe transport stream and a necessary section is inserted thereinto. Theresultant stream is transmitted as a partial transport stream. Ifinformation of a section of for example an EIT or an SDT which is notpermitted to be transmitted on a partial transport stream is transmittedbetween each unit through the interface, information of this section istransmitted as a private section or a user private. As a result,information of the section of the EIT can be transmitted from forexample a digital satellite broadcast tuner to a personal computer andan original program schedule list can be created on the personalcomputer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0035]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a satellitebroadcast receiving system according to the present invention;

[0036]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a satellitebroadcast tuner according to the present invention;

[0037]FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic diagrams for explaining a transportstream;

[0038]FIGS. 4A and 4B are schematic diagrams for explaining anadaptation field;

[0039]FIGS. 5A and 5B are schematic diagrams for explaining a partialtransport stream;

[0040] FIG. 6 is a block diagram for explaining the formation of apartial transport stream;

[0041]FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C are schematic diagrams for explaining atransfer of information of a section which is not permitted to betransmitted on a partial transport stream;

[0042]FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining a PMT;

[0043]FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining the PMT;

[0044]FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining a registrationdescriptor;

[0045]FIG. 11 is a flow chart for explaining a transfer of informationof a section which is not permitted to be transmitted on a partialtransport stream;

[0046]FIG. 12 is a block diagram for explaining a reception of a partialtransport stream transferred through an interface; and

[0047]FIG. 13 is a flow chart for explaining a reception of a partialtransport stream transferred through an interface.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0048] Next, with reference to the accompanying drawings, an embodimentof the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 shows an example of aBS digital satellite broadcast receiving system according to the presentinvention.

[0049] In FIG. 1, a radio wave transmitted from a BS digital satelliteis received by a parabola antenna 11. A low noise converter 12 disposedon the parabola antenna 11 converts the received radio wave into anintermediate frequency signal. The intermediate frequency signal issupplied to a BS digital satellite broadcast tuner 1 through a cable 10.The BS digital satellite broadcast tuner 1 demodulates the receivedsignal into a transport stream. The transport stream is decoded into avideo signal and an audio signal.

[0050] The video signal and the audio signal that have been decoded fromthe transport stream by the BS digital satellite broadcast tuner 1 aresupplied to a television receiver 2. The television receiver 2reproduces the video signal and the audio signal and displays a picturecorresponding to the reproduced video signal and outputs a soundcorresponding to the reproduced audio signal.

[0051] The BS digital broadcasts support both SDTV broadcasts and HDTVbroadcasts.

[0052] In other words, the BS digital broadcasts support a 1080i pictureformat (number of effective pixels=1920×1080; aspect ratio=16:9;interlace scanning), a 480p picture format (number of effectivepixels=720×480; aspect ratio=16:9; progressive scanning), a 480i pictureformat (number of effective pixels=720×480; aspect ratio=16:9 or 4:3;interlace scanning), and a 720p picture format (number of effectivepixels=1280×720; aspect ratio=16:9; progressive scanning). The 480ipicture format is referred to as SDTV, whereas the 1080i picture formatis referred to as HDTV.

[0053] It is preferred that the television receiver 2 should supportthose formats and be provided with a D terminal.

[0054] A D terminal can handle a component video signal composed of aluminance signal Y and color difference signals Pb and Pr. Depending onthe broadcast formats, a D terminal has five types which are D1 to D5.In addition, a D terminal contains a signal for identifying a pictureformat. When the television receiver 2 is provided with a D terminal, byconnecting the BS digital satellite broadcast tuner 1 and the televisionreceiver 2 with the D terminal, the television receiver 2 can handlethose types of picture formats.

[0055] The BS digital: satellite broadcast tuner 1 is provided with anIEEE 1394 interface 13. The IEEE 1394 interface 13 can have up to 63nodes. A digital VCR 3 and a personal computer 4 can be connected to theIEEE 1394 interface 13. The IEEE 1394 can perform an isochronoustransfer and an asynchronous transfer. The isochronous transfer allowsvideo data and audio data to be transferred at high speed. Theasynchronous transfer allows basic commands such as a mode control and achannel tuning to be transferred.

[0056] The transport stream demodulated by the BS digital satellitebroadcast tuner 1 can be recorded by the digital VCR 3 through the IEEE1394 interface 13. When the transport stream demodulated by the BSdigital satellite broadcast tuner 1 is recorded by the digital VCR 3,the transport stream which has been output from the BS digital satellitebroadcast tuner 1 is transferred to the digital VCR 3 through the IEEE1394 interface 13. Thereafter, the digital VCR 3 is set to a record modeso that the transport stream which has been output from the BS digitalsatellite broadcast tuner 1 is recorded by the digital VCR 3.

[0057] The asynchronous transfer of the IEEE 1394 interface allows acommand to be transferred. Thus, when the IEEE 1394 interface 13 isused, a command can be sent from the BS digital satellite broadcasttuner 1 to the digital VCR 3 so that the digital VCR 3 is set to therecord mode and the transport stream which has been output from the BSdigital satellite broadcast tuner 1 is recorded by the digital VCR 3.

[0058] When a transport stream which is recorded in the digital VCR 3 isreproduced, the digital VCR 3 is set to a reproduction mode. In thereproduction mode, a transport stream is reproduced from the digital VCR3 and the reproduced transport stream is output. In this case, when acommand is sent from the BS digital satellite broadcast tuner 1 to thedigital VCR 3 through the IEEE 1394 interface 13, the digital VCR 3 canbe set to the reproduction mode.

[0059] The transport stream which has been reproduced from the digitalVCR 3 is supplied to the BS digital satellite broadcast tuner 1 throughthe IEEE 1394 interface 13. The BS digital satellite broadcast tuner 1decodes the transport stream into a video signal and an audio signal.The video signal and the audio signal which have been decoded from thetransport stream by the BS digital satellite broadcast tuner 1 issupplied to the television receiver 2. The television receiver 2reproduces the video signal and the audio signal and displays a picturecorresponding to the reproduced video signal and outputs a soundcorresponding to the reproduced audio signal.

[0060] When the BS digital satellite broadcast tuner 1 and the digitalVCR 3 are connected with the IEEE 1394 interface 13 and the transportstream demodulated by the BS digital satellite broadcast tuner 1 istransferred to the digital VCR 3 and the transport stream is recorded bythe digital VCR 3, a received program can be recorded.

[0061] Likewise, a transport stream demodulated by the BS digitalsatellite broadcast tuner 1 can be transferred to the personal computer4 through the IEEE 1394 interface 13. When a transport streamdemodulated by the BS digital satellite broadcast tuner 1 is recorded tothe HDD of the personal computer 4, the transport stream which has beenoutput from the BS digital satellite broadcast tuner 1 is transferred tothe personal computer 4 through the IEEE 1394 interface 13. In thiscase, when a command is sent from the personal computer 4 to the BSdigital satellite broadcast tuner 1 through the IEEE 1394 interface 13,the transport stream which has been output from the BS digital satellitebroadcast tuner 1 can be transferred to the personal computer 4. Thetransport stream which has been transferred from the BS digitalsatellite broadcast tuner 1 to the personal computer 4 is recoded to theHDD of the personal computer 4. The transport stream recorded on the HDDof the personal computer 4 is decoded on the personal computer 4 so thatthe user can enjoy a program and edit video data thereof.

[0062] When the transport stream which has been output from the IEEE1394 interface 13 of the BS digital satellite broadcast tuner 1 istransferred to the digital VCR 3 and the transferred transport stream isrecorded by the digital VCR 3, if all the transport stream which hasbeen demodulated by the BS digital satellite broadcast tuner 1 istransferred to the digital VCR 3 and recorded thereby, the recordcapacity may be unnecessarily wasted and a problem of the integrity ofinformation may arise. Thus, the transport stream which is output fromthe IEEE 1394 interface 13 of the BS digital satellite broadcast tuner 1is a partial transport stream of which TS packets which do not directlyrelate to the program are removed from the transport stream and anecessary section is inserted into the transport stream.

[0063] However, when a stream which is output from the IEEE 1394interface 13 is a partial transport stream, information which is notpermitted to be transmitted on the partial transport stream cannot beused.

[0064] For example, if information of the section of the EIT can be sentfrom the BS digital satellite broadcast tuner 1 to the personal computer4, an original program schedule list can be easily created on thepersonal computer. In addition, information about programs, actors, andactresses can be easily searched on the Internet. However, informationof the section of the EIT is not permitted to be transmitted on thepartial transport stream.

[0065] Thus, according to the embodiment of the present invention,information of an section which is not permitted to be transmitted on apartial transport stream is transmitted as information of a privatesection. Thus, information of the section of the EIT can be sent fromthe BS digital satellite broadcast tuner 1 to the personal computer 4.An original program schedule list can be created on the personalcomputer 4.

[0066]FIG. 2 shows the structure of the BS digital satellite broadcasttuner 1. In FIG. 2, a radio wave of a digital satellite broadcasttransmitted as a radio wave of for example 12 GHz band is received bythe parabola antenna 11. The low noise converter 12 disposed on theparabola antenna 11 converts the received radio wave into anintermediate frequency signal of for example 1 GHz band. An outputsignal of the low noise converter 12 is supplied to an antenna terminal21 of the BS digital satellite broadcast tuner 1 through the cable 10.

[0067] An output signal of the antenna terminal 21 is supplied to atuner circuit 22. The tuner circuit 22 selects a signal having a desiredcarrier frequency from the received signal corresponding to a frequencysetting control signal received from a controller 20.

[0068] An output signal of the tuner circuit 22 is supplied to ademodulating circuit 23. The demodulating circuit 23 can perform ademodulating process corresponding to BPSK (Binary Phase Shift Keying),QPSK (Quadrature Phase Shift Keying), or TC-8PSK (Trellis 8-Phase PSK).

[0069] In other words, in the BS digital satellite broadcasts, ahierarchical transmission is performed using the BPSK, the QPSK, and theTC-IPSK. In the TC-8PSK modulation, although the information amount persymbol increases, if there is an attenuation due to rain, the error ratedeteriorates. In contrast, in the BPSK and QPSK modulations, althoughthe information amount per symbol is small, even if there is anattenuation due to rain, the error rate does not deteriorate much.

[0070] On the transmission side, one TS packet is assigned to one slot.Each TS packet is mapped to a frame composed of 48 slots. A modulationsystem and an encoding system can be designated to each slot. Themodulation system and coding rate designated to each slot aretransmitted with a TMCC (Transmission and Multiplexing ConfigurationControl) signal. In the unit of eight frames, one super frame iscomposed. An interleaving is performed at each slot position.

[0071] An output signal of the demodulating circuit 23 is supplied to anerror correcting circuit 24. The error correcting circuit 24 performs anerror correcting process. As an outer code and an inner code of theerror correction code encoding system, Reed-Solomon code (204, 188) andtrellis code or convolution code are used, respectively.

[0072] An output signal of the error correcting circuit 24 is suppliedto a descrambler 25. The descrambler 25 performs a CAS (Condition AccessSystem) control.

[0073] In other words, when a restricting reception is performed, atransport stream is encrypted. Personal information is stored in an ICcard 27. The IC card 27 is attached to the BS digital satellitebroadcast tuner 1 through a card interface 29.

[0074] Information of sections of received ECM (Entitlement ControlMessage) and EMM (Entitlement Management Message) is supplied to thedescrambler 25. In addition, descrambling key data stored in the IC card27 is supplied to the descrambler 25. When a restricting reception isperformed, the descrambler 25 descrambles the transport stream using thereceived ECM and EMM and information stored in the IC card 27.

[0075] In addition, a modem 38 is disposed. Charging information istransmitted to a program broadcasting center through the modem 38.

[0076] The descrambled transport stream is sent to a demultiplexer 28through a switch circuit 30.

[0077] The demultiplexer 28 separates a stream containing a desiredpacket from the transport stream which has been output from thedescrambler 25 corresponding to a command received from the controller20. A header portion of the packet describes a packet identifier (PID).The demultiplexer 28 separates a video packet, an audio packet, a datapacket, and a PSI and SI packet of the desired program from thetransport stream corresponding to the PID.

[0078] A video packet of the desired program is sent to a video decoder31. An audio packet is sent to an audio decoder 32. A data packet and aPSI and SI packet are sent to the controller 20.

[0079] The video decoder 31 receives video packets from thedemultiplexer 28, performs a decoding process for the video packetscorresponding to the MPEG2 system, and reproduces a video signal fromthe video packets. The reproduced video signal is output from an outputterminal 33.

[0080] The audio decoder 32 receives audio packets from thedemultiplexer 28, performs a decoding process for the audio packetscorresponding to the MPEG2-AAC system, and forms an audio signal withthe audio packets. The reproduced audio signal is output from an outputterminal 34.

[0081] Commands for operating the BS digital satellite broadcast tuner 1are input from not only an input key portion 35, but a remote controller36. An infrared ray command signal radiated from the remote controller36 is received by a light receiving portion 37. The infrared ray commandsignal is sent from the light receiving portion 37 to the controller 20.

[0082] For example, information of the section of the EIT is notpermitted to be transmitted on a partial transport stream. When theinformation of such a section is needed to be transmitted, the PIDinformation of the section is set to a PID parser 41.

[0083] The PID parser 41 passes only TS packets which are permitted tobe transmitted on a partial transport stream and discards the other TSpackets.

[0084] In other words, the PID parser 41 passes only packets of thesections of the PAT and the PMT and PES packets of audio, video, anddata which are permitted to be transmitted on a partial transport streamand discards the other packets. As will be described later, when packetsof the sections of the EIT and SDT are output as packets of a privatesection, the PID parser 41 is set so that it also passes packets ofinformation of a private section.

[0085] A partial transport stream of which the SIT and the DIT formed bythe controller 20 have been inserted into the stream which has beenoutput from the PID parser 41 is output. The partial transport stream issupplied to an IEEE 1394 interface 42. The partial transport stream istransferred to a unit connected to the IEEE 1394 interface 42.

[0086] In contrast, a transport stream transferred from another unitconnected to the IEEE 1394 interface 42 is supplied to the demultiplexer28 through the IEEE 1394 interface 42 and the switch circuit 30.

[0087] The demultiplexer 28 separates a video packet, an audio packet, adata packet, and a PSI and SI packet of a desired program from thetransport stream corresponding to the PID.

[0088] A video packet of the desired program is sent to the videodecoder 31. An audio packet is sent to the audio decoder 32. A datapacket and a PSI and SI packet are sent to the controller 20.

[0089] The video decoder 31 reproduces a video signal from video packetswhich have been output from the demultiplexer 28. A reproduced videosignal is output from the output terminal 33. The audio decoder 32reproduces an audio signal from audio packets which have been outputfrom the demultiplexer 28. A reproduced audio signal is output from theoutput terminal 34.

[0090] In such a manner, according to the embodiment of the presentinvention, as with information of the sections of the EIT and SDT, wheninformation of the sections which is not permitted to be transmitted ona partial transport stream is transmitted, the information of thesections is transmitted as information of a private section. Next, thisoperation will be described.

[0091] In the MPEG2-TS system, as shown in FIG. 3, TS packets each ofwhich is composed of 188 bytes are used. As shown in FIG. 3A, each TSpacket is composed of a header of four bytes and a payload of 184 bytes.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 3B, a synchronous byte (sync_byte) of eight bitsis disposed at the beginning of the packet. The synchronous byte isfollowed by an error indicator (transport_error_indicator) of one bitwhich represents whether or not the packet contains an error, a unitstart indicator (payload_unit_start_indicator) of one bit whichrepresents that a new PES packet starts with the payload of thetransport packet, a transport priority (transport_priority) of one bitwhich represents the importance level of the packet, a PID (packet_ID)of 13 bits which identifies a discrete packet, a scramble control(transport_scramble_control) of two bites which represents whether ornot the payload has been scrambled, an adaptation field control(adaptation_field_control) of two bits which represents whether anadaptation field is present or absent and whether a payload is presentor absent, and a continuity counter (continuity_counter) of four bitswhich detects whether or not part of the packet with the PID has beendiscarded corresponding to the continuity of the reception count.

[0093] The adaptation field is used to transmit additional informationof a discrete stream. As shown in FIG. 4A, the adaptation field iscomposed of an adaptation field length (adaptation_field_length) of onebyte, five flags (PCR_flag, OPCR_flag, splicing_flag,transport_private_data_flag, adaptation_data_flag, andadaptation_field_extension _flag) of one byte, an optional field(optional_field), and a stuffing byte (stuffing byte). As shown in FIG.4A, in a packet of a PCR (Program Clock Reference), a PCR of six bytesis disposed in the optional field.

[0094] Besides packets of video, audio, and data such as a subtitle, thetransport stream contains packets of information described in tables ofsections of the PSI and SI.

[0095] The PSI is information necessary for the system to select andreceive a desired broadcast channel.

[0096] The PSI contains an NIT (Network Information Table), a PAT(Program Association Table), a PMT (Program Map Table), a CAT (ConditionAccess Table), and so forth.

[0097] In the NIT, the same content is multiplexed for all carriers. TheNIT describes transmission characteristics (plane of polarization,carrier frequency, convolution rate, and so forth) of each carrier and alist of channels multiplexed on each carrier. The PID of a packet of thesection of the NIT is (PIC=0x0010).

[0098] The PAT describes information of the content unique to eachcarrier. The PAT describes channel information of each carrier and thePID of the PMT which represents the content of each channel. The PID ofa packet of the section of the PAT is (PID=0x0000).

[0099] The PMT (Program Map Table) describes components which composeeach channel and the PID of an ECM packet necessary for descrambling.The PID of a packet of the section of the PMT is designated by the PAT.

[0100] The CAT (Condition Access Table) describes the PID of a packet ofthe EMM. The PID of a packet of the section of the CAT is (PID=0x0001).

[0101] The SI has an EIT (Event Information Table) and an SDT (ServiceDescription Table).

[0102] The EIT describes a program broadcast schedule. The EIT is usedfor the EPG (Electronic program Guide) and timer recording. The PID of apacket of the EIT is (PID=0x0012).

[0103] The SDT describes information with respect to an organizedchannel such as an organized channel number, a channel name, a broadcastprovider name, and so forth. The PID of a packet of the section of theSDT is (PID=0x0011).

[0104] As shown in FIG. 5A, the received transport stream is composed ofTS packets (TSP-V and TSP-A) of video and audio of a plurality ofchannels, TS packets (TSP-NIT, TSP-PAT, TSP-PMT, and TSP-CAT) of the PSIsuch as the NIT, the PAT, the PMT, and the CAT, and TS packets (TSP-EITand TSP-SDT) of the SI such as the EIT and SDT. As shown in FIG. 5B, onthe partial transport stream, other than TS packets which relate to theprogram reception are discarded and sections formed by the controllerare inserted.

[0105] In other words, on the partial transport stream, for the PSI,only the TS packets (TSP-PAT and TSP-PMT) of the PAT and the PMT formedfor the partial transport stream are output. In contrast, for the SI,only the SIT (TSP-SIT) formed by the controller as an SI which does notadversely affect the integrity of information is output. In addition,the DIT (Discontinuity Information Table) is transmitted so that when achannel is changed or the power is turned off, a problem about theintegrity of information does not arise.

[0106] To form such a partial transport stream, as shown in FIG. 6, thePID parser 41 is disposed. PIDs of TS packets of audio, video, and datanecessary for receiving the channel are set to the PID parser 41.

[0107] A received transport stream is supplied to the PID parser 41. ThePID parser 41 passes only TS packets having the PIDs which have been setof the transport stream and discards the other TS packets. In addition,the PID parser 41 inserts the PAT, the PMT, the SIT, and the DIT formedby the controller into the transport stream. The resultant transportstream is sent as a partial transport stream to the IEEE 1394 interface42.

[0108] However, information of sections of for example the EIT and SDT,which is not permitted to be transmitted, cannot be transmitted on apartial transport stream.

[0109] To solve such a problem, according to the embodiment of thepresent invention, information of sections of for example the PSI andthe SI, which is not permitted to be transmitted on a partial transportstream, is transmitted as information of a private section.

[0110] Now, it is supposed that the section of the EIT is sent throughthe IEEE 1394 interface 42. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7, a TSpacket (TSP-EIT) of the section of the EIT of the transport stream (FIG.7A) is transmitted as if it is a TS packet (TSP-PRV) of a privatesection as shown in FIG. 7B.

[0111] In other words, as was described above, the PID of a packet ofthe section of the EIT is (PID=0x0012). The packet of the section of theEIT is treated as a TS packet of a private section. The PID (PID=0x0012)is added to the list of TS packets which the PID parser 41 passes. Sincethe section of the EIT is treated as a private section, the descriptionof the PMT is updated.

[0112] Thus, as shown in FIG. 7C, information of the section of the EITis contained as a packet (TSP-PRV) of the private section in the partialtransport stream. In FIG. 7C, PAT′ and PMT′ are formed corresponding tothe content of the partial transport stream.

[0113]FIG. 8 shows the description of the PMT. The PMT is a table whichdescribes PIDs of packets of video, audio, and data transmitted on thebroadcast channel (program). When information of a section which is notpermitted to be transmitted on a partial transport stream is containedas information of a private section in a partial transport stream, thedescription of the PMT is updated as follows.

[0114] The description of the PMT is composed of a portion whichdescribes information of the broadcast channel and a portion whichdescribes the type of each element of the broadcast channel and eachPID.

[0115] At a first portion of the PMT, a table ID (table_id) of eightbits, a section syntax indicator (section_syntax_indicator) of one bit,a reserve (reserved) of two bits, a section length of 12 bits, a programnumber (program_number) of 16 bits, a reserve (reserved) of two bits, aversion number (version_number) of five bits, a current/next indicator(current_next_indicator) of eight bits, a section number(section_number) of eight bits, a last section number (last_sectionnumber) of eight bits, a reserve (reserved) of three bits, a PCR-PID(PCR PID) of 13 bits, a reserve (reserved) of four bits, and a programlength (program_info_length) of 12 bits are described. They describeinformation of the broadcast channel. The program number (rogram_number)corresponds to the broadcast channel.

[0116] The next portion is looped. Each element of the channel isdescribed for each of (video, audio, and data). The second loop iscomposed of a stream type (stream_type) of eight bits, a reserve(reserved) of three bits, an elementary PID (elementary_PID) of 13 bits,a reserve (reserved) of four bits, and an ES information length(ES_info_length) of 12 bits.

[0117] The elementary PID (elementary_PID) represents the PID of theelement.

[0118] The stream type (stream_type) is defined as shown in FIG. 9. Thestream type identifies the type of the stream such as video, audio,data, or the like.

[0119] At last, an error detection CRC (CRC_32) of 32 bits is described.

[0120] As shown in FIG. 9, in the stream type (stream_type), a privatesection (private_section) is assigned to the stream type(stream_type=0x05). When information of a section of for example theEIT, which is not permitted to be transmitted on a partial transportstream, is transmitted, (stream_type=0x05) which represents a privatesection is described as a stream type (stream_type) of the second loopof the PMT. As the elementary PID (elementary_PID), the PID (PID=Y) ofthe EIT transferred as a private section is described.

[0121] When the PMT describes information about the private section, aunit connected to the interface can interpret the private section withthe PMT.

[0122] For example, a registration descriptor (registration_descriptor)as shown in FIG. 10 is inserted into the PMT. A registration descriptoris defined in the MPEG. A format identifier (format_identifier) of fourletter ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) codecan be assigned to each element of the PMT. In this example, aregistration descriptor is described in a private section so as torepresent the content of the private section. When information of thesection of the EIT of a digital BS broadcast is transmitted as a privatesection, four letter ASCII code for example “BSEI” which represents thatthe content of the private section is information of the section of theEIT of the digital BS broadcast is described in the private section.

[0123] In the forgoing example, a private section of (stream_type=0x05)shown in FIG. 9 was used. Alternatively, a user private (User private)of (stream_type=0x80-0xFF) may be used.

[0124] Thus, although a stream of the section of the EIT is notpermitted to be transmitted on a partial transport stream, when thesection of the EIT is treated as a private section, the section of theEIT can be transferred on a partial transport stream.

[0125] In FIG. 11, it is determined whether or not information of asection of for example the EIT or SDT which is not permitted to betransmitted on a partial transport stream is transmitted (at step S1).When information of a section which is not permitted to be transmittedon a partial transport stream is not transmitted, the process isterminated.

[0126] When information of a section which is not permitted to betransmitted on a partial transport stream is transmitted, a packet ofthe PMT is extracted (at step S2). (stream_tyep=0x05) which represents aprivate section as a stream type (stream_type) is added to the secondloop of the PMT (at step S3). As the elementary PID (elementary_PID),the PID of the EIT is described (at step S4). A registration descriptoris inserted into description ( ) of the second loop. A unique identifieris described in the format identifier (format_identifier) (at step S5).

[0127] After the PMT has been rewritten, the PID of the private sectionis added to the list of the PID parser 41, which extracts the partialtransport stream (at step S6).

[0128] When a stream of the section of the EIT is transmitted, at stepS2, a TS packet of the PMT is extracted. At step S3, (stream_type=0x05),which represents a private section, as a stream type (stream_type) isadded to the second loop of the PMT. At step S4, as the elementary PID(elementary_PID), the PID (PID=0X0012) of the EIT is described. At stepS5, a registration descriptor is inserted into description ( ) of thesecond loop. An identifier “BSEI”, which represents that the EIT of adigital BS broadcast is being transmitted, is described in the formatidentifier (format_identifier). At step S6, the PID of the privatesection is added to the list of the PID parser 41.

[0129] As a result, the information of the section of the EIT treated asinformation of a private section is contained in a partial transportstream which is output from the IEEE 1394 interface 42. Likewise,information of the section of the SDT can be transmitted as informationof a private section.

[0130] When information of the section of the EIT and SDT transmitted asa stream of a private section is transferred to another unit and usedthereon, as shown in FIG. 12, information of the private section is setas information of the EIT and SDT to a demultiplexer 128 of a receptionside unit.

[0131] In other words, in FIG. 12, a stream of a section which is notpermitted to be transmitted on a partial transport stream is containedas a private section in a stream and the resultant stream is transmittedto an IEEE 1394 interface 142 on the reception side unit. The stream issupplied from the IEEE 1394 interface 142 to the demultiplexer 128.

[0132] A controller 130 analyzes the table of the PMT extracted by thedemultiplexer 128. Corresponding to the analyzed result, the controller130 sets PIDs of packets the demultiplexer 128 separates.

[0133] The demultiplexer 128 separates packets of audio, video, data,and PSI and SI packet from the stream corresponding to the PIDs set bythe controller 130. At that point, the controller 130 performs a processas shown in FIG. 13.

[0134] In FIG. 13, it is determined whether or not (stream_type=0x05),which represents a private section, as the stream type (stream_type) ofthe second loop of the PMT has been described (at step S11). When thedetermined result represents that (stream_type=0x05), which represents aprivate section, as the stream type (stream_type) of the second loop ofthe PMT has been described, it is determined whether or not there is aregistration descriptor (at step S12). When there is a registrationdescriptor, the format identifier (format_identifier) is analyzed. As aresult, the stream of the private section is interpreted as informationof a section represented by the format identifier. The PID of the streamof the private section is analyzed with the elementary PID(elementary_PID) of the PMT. The PID of the stream of the privatesection is set to the demultiplexer 128. The demultiplexer 128 extractsa packet of the private section.

[0135] For example, when a partial transport stream containing a streamof for example the EIT as a private section is transmitted and the PIDis (PID=0x0012), at step S12, the determined result at step S11represents that (stream_type=0x05), which represents a private section,has been described. The determined result at step S12 represents thatthere is a registration descriptor. The determined result at step S13represents that the format identifier is for example “BSEI,” whichrepresents that the EIT of the digital BS broadcast is beingtransmitted. The PID (PID=Y) of the stream of the private section isanalyzed with the elementary PID (elementary_PID) of the PMT.(PID=0x0012) is set to the demultiplexer 128. Thus, the demultiplexer128 extracts a TS packet of the private section of (PID=0x0012). Thepacket of the private section is processed as the EIT of the digital BSbroadcast.

[0136] As was described above, according to the embodiment of thepresent invention, information of sections of for example the EIT andSDT of the PSI and SI which is not permitted to be transmitted on apartial transport stream is transmitted as information of a privatesection. Thus, when necessary, a stream of a section which is notpermitted to be transmitted on a partial transport stream can betransmitted. A unit which does not interpret a private section ignores astream thereof. Thus, even if the PSI and SI which are not permitted tobe transmitted on a partial transport stream is transmitted to such aunit, a problem about the integrity of information does not arise on thereception side.

[0137] In this example, the EIT and SDT are transmitted. When necessary,information of sections of for example the NIT and CAT can betransmitted as a private section. In addition, any data other thansections which are transmitted on a broadcast can be inserted as aprivate section into a partial transport stream and the resultant streamcan be transmitted.

[0138] In the forgoing example, the case that a digital BS broadcasttuner is connected to a digital VCR and a personal computer through theIEEE 1394 interface was described. However, the present invention can beapplied for the case that a set top box of a digital CATV (CableTelevision) is connected to a digital VCR and a personal computerthrough the IEEE 1394 interface. In addition, according to the presentinvention, the interface is not limited to the IEEE 1394 interface. Inother words, the present invention can be applied for other interfaces.

[0139] According to the present invention, when unnecessary TS packetsare removed from a transport stream, necessary TS packets are insertedinto the transport stream, and the resultant transport stream is outputas a partial transport stream from an interface, any data (such as theEIT and SDT) which is not permitted to be transmitted on a partialtransport stream is transmitted as a private section or a user private.As a result, information of the section of the EIT can be transmittedfrom a digital satellite broadcast tuner to a personal computer. Anoriginal program schedule list can be created on the personal computer.

[0140] Industrial Utilization

[0141] As was described above, the information transmitting apparatus,the method thereof, the information processing apparatus, the methodthereof, and the information processing system are suitable for asatellite broadcast tuner which receives a signal corresponding toMPEG2-TS.

1. An information transmitting apparatus, comprising: packet extractingmeans for extracting a packet which is permitted to be transmitted on apartial transport stream from a transport stream; an interface fortransmitting the partial transport stream which is output through thepacket extracting means to another unit; and means for outputting apacket which is not permitted to be transmitted on the partial transportstream as a packet of a private section or a packet of a user privatewhen the packet is output through the interface.
 2. The informationtransmitting apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the transportstream is a stream corresponding to MPEG2-TS.
 3. The informationtransmitting apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the transportstream is obtained from a received signal of a digital satellitebroadcast.
 4. The information transmitting apparatus as set forth inclaim 1, wherein the received signal is obtained from a received signalof a digital CATV broadcast.
 5. The information transmitting apparatusas set forth in claim 1, wherein the packet extracting means isconfigured to output packets of video, audio, and data and packets ofsections of a PAT, a PMT, an SIT, and a DIT and to output a packet whichis not permitted to be transmitted on the partial transport stream as apacket of a private section or a packet of a user private when thepacket which is not permitted to be transmitted on the partial transportstream is output through the interface.
 6. The information transmittingapparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the interface is an IEEE 1394interface.
 7. The information transmitting apparatus as set forth inclaim 1, wherein a packet which is not permitted to be transmitted onthe partial transport stream is a packet of a section of an EIT.
 8. Theinformation transmitting apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein apacket which is not permitted to be transmitted on the partial transportstream is a packet of a section of an SDT.
 9. The informationtransmitting apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein a packet whichis not permitted to be transmitted on the partial transport stream is apacket of any data.
 10. The information transmitting apparatus as setforth in claim 1, wherein the means for outputting a packet which is notpermitted to be transmitted on the partial transport stream as a packetof a private section or a packet of a user private is configured todescribe a private section or a user private as a stream type assignmentof the content of a PMT in which information of each element of atransport stream to be output is described and to describe a PID of theprivate section or a PID of the user private as an elementary PID. 11.The information transmitting apparatus as set forth in claim 10, whereinthe means for outputting a packet which is not permitted to betransmitted on the partial transport stream as a packet of a privatesection or a packet of a user private is further configured to describean identifier for identifying the type of a packet to be output with aregistration descriptor when a packet which is not permitted to betransmitted on the partial transport stream is output as a packet of aprivate section or a packet of a user private through the interface. 12.An information transmitting method, comprising the steps of: extractinga packet which is permitted to be transmitted on a partial transportstream from a transport stream and outputting the extracted packet to aninterface; and forming a packet which is not permitted to be transmittedon the partial transport stream as a packet of a private section or apacket of a user private when the packet is output through theinterface.
 13. An information processing apparatus, comprising: aninterface for receiving a partial transport stream transmitted fromanother unit; packet separating means for separating packets from thepartial transport stream transmitted through the interface; andanalyzing means for analyzing the content of a PMT of the partialtransport stream transmitted through the interface, information of eachelement of a transport stream being described in the PMT, andinterpreting a packet of a private section as a packet which is notpermitted to be transmitted on the partial transport stream when theanalyzed result represents that the partial transport stream containsthe private section.
 14. The information processing apparatus as setforth in claim 13, wherein the interface is an IEEE 1394 interface. 15.The information processing apparatus as set forth in claim 13, wherein apacket which is not permitted to be transmitted on the partial transportstream is a packet of a section of an EIT.
 16. The informationprocessing apparatus as set forth in claim 13, wherein a packet which isnot permitted to be transmitted on the partial transport stream is apacket of a section of an SDT.
 17. The information processing apparatusas set forth in claim 13, wherein a packet which is not permitted to betransmitted on the partial transport stream is a packet of any data. 18.The information processing apparatus as set forth in claim 13, whereinthe analyzing means is configured to analyze whether a stream typeassignment of the content of a PMT describing information of eachelement of the transport stream is a private section or a user private.19. The information processing apparatus as set forth in claim 18,wherein the analyzing means is configured to detect whether or not thecontent of the PMT describing information of each element of theetransport stream contains a registration descriptor and to identify thetype of the packets corresponding to the description of the registrationdescriptor.
 20. An information processing method, comprising the stepsof: receiving a partial transport stream transmitted from another unitthrough an interface; separating packets from the partial transportstream transmitted through the interface; and analyzing the content of aPMT of the partial transport stream transmitted through the interface,information of each element of a transport stream being described in thePMT, and interpreting a packet of a private section as a packet which isnot permitted to be transmitted on the partial transport stream when theanalyzed result represents that the partial transport stream containsthe private section or a user private.
 21. An information processingsystem, comprising: an information transmitting apparatus for extractinga packet which is permitted to be transmitted on a partial transportstream from a transport stream and outputting the extracted packetthrough an interface; and an information processing apparatus forreceiving a partial transport stream transmitted through the interface,separating packets from the partial transport stream, and processing thepackets, wherein when a packet which is not permitted to be transmittedon the partial transport stream is transmitted from the informationtransmitting apparatus to the information processing apparatus throughthe interface, the information transmitting apparatus is configured totransmit a packet which is not permitted to be transmitted on thepartial transport stream as a packet of a private section or a packet ofa user private.
 22. The information processing system as set forth inclaim 21, wherein a packet which is not permitted to be transmitted onthe partial transport stream is a packet of a section of an EIT.
 23. Theinformation processing system as set forth in claim 21, wherein a packetwhich is not permitted to be transmitted on the partial transport streamis a packet of a section of an SDT.
 24. The information processingsystem as set forth in claim 21, wherein a packet which is not permittedto be transmitted on the partial transport stream is a packet of anydata.